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This article proposes a theory to explain how actors in social exchange networks reach agreements on division of resources. Social exchange theory grew. from the application of the economic theory of exchange to social relationships. Sociology focuses on a problematic area for economic theory, the exchange of valued objects in, relatively small groups, where actors seek to settle on one optimal outcome out of a range of possibilities. Central to theoretical development today is a class of networks in which subtle power differences occur. This phenomenon is known as weak power. In these weak power networks, some positions may have advantages over others in acquiring resources through exchange. However, unlike the advantages in strong power networks, advantages in weak power networks are not progressive. Over a series of exchanges, a strong power advantage eventually results in one, exchange partner receiving nearly all available resources. Weak power is limited in range and magnitude. This necessitates theoretical refinement because adequate assessment of power differences between positions in weak power structures requires more, precise predictions of exchange rates at equilibrium.

A mathematical model of participation in person groups, derived from expectation states theory by Skvoretz (a), was tested in six-person task-oriented groups with systematically varying sex compositions The groups of undergraduate subjects performed a task modeled after that used by Fisek. Videotapes were made of group interactions and later coded for participation, interruptions, and conversational overlaps. The Skvoretz model fits the participation data poorly (as measured by a Chi-square goodness-of-fit test), primarily because there was much more variation in participation within statuses (male and female) than predicted by the model. A revised model which represents the groups' status structure as differentiated along a primary status dimension, sex, and then differentiated along secondary status dimensions within members of the same sex is suggested for a better fit to the participation data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]